Privacy & HIPAA Compliance
The enactment of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) has caused health care organizations to place a renewed focus on privacy compliance matters. Sonnenschein has been a leader in helping its national and international health care clients navigate the complex and rapidly evolving framework of State, Federal and international privacy laws.
Sonnenschein’s Health Care Practice Group provides legal advice that extends beyond the letter of the laws and regulations, to encompass our understanding of emerging industry best practices and guidance (both formal and informal) from State and Federal regulators. In addition, Sonnenschein’s attorneys are sensitive to the relationship between privacy and security — working closely with members of the Firm’s Information Security and Internet Enforcement Practice Group.
Sonnenschein provides privacy and HIPAA compliance counseling to hospitals, health plans, physician organizations, pharmacies, vision centers, laboratories, health care clearinghouses, health care information technology companies, pharmaceutical companies, medical device manufacturers, third-party administrators, and employers that sponsor group health plans. On behalf of these organizations, the Firm:
- Provides advice on various regulatory, transactional and litigation matters;
- Advises clients on compliance with HIPAA, GLBA and a host of other new State and Federal privacy laws;
- Develops corporate privacy compliance programs that address the full range of applicable privacy and security laws;
- Drafts and tailors HIPAA policies, procedures, contracts and notices to reflect applicable legal requirements, appropriate best practices, and the unique operations of a particular organization; and
- Defends health care organizations in connection with administrative, civil and criminal audits, investigation and litigation relating to privacy matters.
